His 54 years has been of struggle and service to humanity. So last week when Comrade Issa Aremu, the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile Workers (NUTGTWN) and Vice President, Nige­ria Labour Congress (NLC) called friends and colleagues together to celebrate his 54th birthday in Ilorin, Kwara state, the state of his birth, it was another moment to give back to the society and impact the lives of the future generation.

The event was not the usual party jamboree, though guests did not lack food and drinks, but the comrade decided to use the event to pass an enduring messages to his generation and the youths alike. It was divided into two parts, the annual jogging exercise, which started five years ago and the high point of this year’s celebration was the presentation of Aremu’s four books written on reflections on Labour and Trade Unions; Good Governance and Development, Industry and Economy; Media and Gender Issues; Africa and Global Affairs.

This year’s jogging exercise theme, “Keeping fit for a better Nigeria and greater Africa” was scheduled to hold between 6am and 10am and by 7am, guests and well wishers drawn from trade unions, industry, civil society and government had converged at the NLC, Ilorin State secretariat with the officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) sector in the state.

But this year’s jogging was with a difference, as the celebrant decided to have a reminiscences by riding a bicycle in company of other riders drawn from the FRSC and the state sports council to his secondary school which he left in 1977 at the age of 16. He recalled how he used to ride bicycle to the school as a day student in Ilorin Grammar School back in 1972-76, the period he was in class 1-4 before he moved to the boarding house in his final year.

“What I’m doing today, the last time I did it was 38 years ago. I decided to use this year’s birthday to retrace my step back in history to the school that I owed my foundation to. Then I was very small when I entered the school and I was normally referred to as ‘Ete’ by many, but here I am today to the glory of God”.

Though it may not be the same ancient Ilorin caliphate with the vast development that has come to the city, but Aremu with his team no doubt has an easy ride to his alma mater in the convoy of the FRSC officials. Met on arrival by the school principal, Abdullahi Abubakar, who admitted that Comrade Aremu’s visit was a landmark in the history of the school established in 1967, being the first time an individual student would be visiting since he came to the school two years ago.

The celebrant was right on time to meet the students at the assembly and the nostalgia continues as he addressed the students and tell them the reasons for his visit 38 years after. “I came for two purposes to charge you students as I was advised here on this same assembly in 1974. That was the first time I would see a jeep, a Land Rover, it was parked not far away from here and we were curious who could it be, but one of our seniors identified him, it was the late Dr. Olusola Saraki. He came down and addressed us, I would not forget his words, he said, ‘The future of Ilorin and Nigeria belongs to all of you’. He told us that we can be like him and greater if we study hard and go to higher institutions. I took to that advice and gained admission to the university, and despite being rusticated in my final year due to our struggle for a better society, I still went ahead to graduate with second class in Economics from the University of Port Harcout. I realized my vision through that advice I got on this same ground and that is why am back to say thank you to my school for producing me. I remembered my principal, who was a disciplinarian, I remembered carrying bicycles on my head as punishment for coming late. I pray that may we produce more Saraki, more governor, more commissioners.”

Aremu expressed displeasure on the state of the school administrative block which he said was considered an edifice in his school days. Lamenting that the poor Kwara in the 70s was better than the present richer Kwara in the 2015, he charged the government to take education more seriously.

The Labour leader still recalling Saraki’s visit said the late politician who was then doing his medical practice showed his benevolence to the students, which enabled him survived a three days meal.

“So as Saraki did to us that day, I also want to donate N500,000 to be shared to all the students. Then I would fix one of the classes, and this would be done within 3-4 months of this visit and I would also be back next year to launch another project in the school.”

Speaking on the reason for the annual exercises which held at the state stadium after the visit, Aremu said the significant was to keep fit. “I and my wife who is also celebrating her 50th birthday believe that as we grow older our ways of celebration should be different, the emphasis should be more on what can keep us alive and not only eating and the usual stuff.”

Representing the Corps Marshal, Assistant Corps Marshal, Kayode Olagunju who is the Head, Policy, Research and Statistics Department called on Nigerians to exercise to keep fit and consider cycling, which he stated the FRSC considered is for life, while traffic is better managed and has no environmental hazard of pollution.

As part of his largesse to the community and towards sport development, Comrade Aremu from next year has equally agreed to sponsor a state cycling competition, while the FRSC may sponsor a national version.

Book Presentation

At the books’ presentation, Comrade Aremu said he was prompted to write the seven books out of which four was presented on his birthday to provide enduring materials for Nigerians and Africa in the quest for economic advancement. Aremu decried the poor state of the nation’s economy due to poor infrastructure which has now put the youths at greater disadvantage.

“We should get the youths back to the industry. If Nigeria does not work, No Africa will ever survive. When Nigeria was working it liberated Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone. But we are no more on duty, our leaders have been docile now, they steal money. Nigeria must wake up to return to good old days of Shehu Shagari, Gowon, Muritala.”

The Textile General Secretary emphasized that for Nigeria to emerge an industrial nation, Nigerians must consume what they produce and produce what they consume, warning, that without that, Nigeria cannot get out of poverty.

He recalled that in the 70s and 80s Nigeria used to be leaders in the manufacturing sector, but now Nigeria is fast becoming poorer, while poverty has forced Nigerian Youths to take to riding Okada as alternative, which could not be considered a decent work.

Aremu however commended the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was the Guest of Honour for his efforts at reducing the unemployment rate in the state and creating a better public school.

He said, “Osun has the lowest unemployment rate because of the efforts of the governor, there is Omoluabi Garment Factory, which produces the free uniforms for the students. The state has also shown to us that a public schools can be better, the governor is building a better schools than some in Europe.”

He reasoned that the nation is being given another opportunity of greatness as Nigerians go to the poll next month. “People should judge the politicians at the election based on what they have to deliver on Industry, economy. We have always been at the forefront of the struggle and we urge Nigerians to ensure that the country survive, our patriots should fight for their votes, we should all ensure that the votes count.”

The Osun state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, presenting one of the books, corroborated the author’s view on industrialisation.

According to him, the way out for Nigeria’s economy is to look inward. “Until we process what we produce here in terms of agricultural outputs, make it abundant and affordable, we will continue to be poor. There is no productivity, and productivity ensures that 3/4 of what we consume is produce here. We should produce things that are relevant to us.

“Failure of Nigeria is directly proportional to failure of blacks globally.”

He maintained that the forthcoming election is paramount as it would afford Nigerians the opportunity to say no to corruption and mis-administration of their resources through their votes.

He however commended Comrade Aremu for being able to put his thoughts on papers, adding that Nigeria needs men and women who will not be moved by emotion to do the right thing.

Retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi, who was also the first Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), in his presentation of the book on Labour described Aremu as a symbol of pride for all in Kwara people.

He added that Nigeria has all it takes to make it big, stating that if a country as small as Boswana could be without corruption, then Nigeria leaders should see corruption as a stigma and a hurdle towards the nation’s greatness.

Earlier Comrade Abiodun, has appealed to Nigerians to shun sentiments as they go to the polls next month. “There are only two religion and ethnic groups in Nigeria as we go to the polls – those who believe people must suffer and those who says people must not suffer. At election, people must be united as the politicians would now be appealing on religious and ethnic sentiments. People united can never be defeated.”